ETA I found this info,
www.capitol.st ate.tx.us Type HB 458 in the search bar.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB458 (i dont know if that link will work if not follow the steps above it.)
Limit of 2 dogs in all of texas to anyone who lives in any platted residential subdivision no matter where you are located or how many acres you may have.
EVERYONE must get in touch with their representative
s and let them know how opposed we are to this type of pet limitations. The full text of the bill follows.
I fear this is only the beginning of a very long legislative session.
Linda
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --
81R3883 EAH-D
By: LeibowitzH.B. No. 458
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to limitations on the number of dogs at a residence in
certain counties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 240, Local Government
Code, is amended by adding Section 240.904 to read as follows:
Sec. 240.904. REGULATION OF NUMBER OF DOGS AT RESIDENCE.
(a) In this section, "residential subdivision" has the meaning
assigned by Section 240.081.
(b) The commissioners court of a county with a population of
one million or more by order may limit the number of dogs that an
individual may keep at a residence located in a residential
subdivision in the unincorporated area of the county.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
TX-RPOA E-News
From RPOA Texas Outreach and
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance
"Animal welfare, not animal 'rights'
and, yes, there is a difference."
Permission granted to crosspost.
January 7, 2009
The Texas Legislature convenes their 81st Regular Session on January 13th
and adjourns at the end of May. However bills are already being filed so
fasten your seat belts, this will be a rough year.
The Responsible Pet Owners Alliance's Board of Directors voted last
night
to
OPPOSE HB 458 filed by Rep. David Leibowitz from San Antonio relating to
"limitations on the number of dogs at a residence in certain
counties."
The bill states:
"The commissioners court of a county with a population of one million
or
more by order may limit the number of dogs that an individual may keep at
a
residence located in a residential subdivision in the unincorporated area
of
the county."
(Note this is unincorporated areas only. However it is a trend we
don't
want to see established in our counties.)
The "residential subdivision" means a subdivision that is
platted and
recorded in the county real property records; in which the majority of the
lots are subject to deed restrictions limiting lots to residential use and
that includes at least five lots that have existing residential
structures.
A meeting will be scheduled with Rep. Leibowitz asap to ask him to pull
his
bill, that we vehemently oppose it for the reasons listed below. Limit
Laws:
* Target all pet owners, regardless of the behavior of their animals.
* Are hard to enforce as pet owners will simply hide their pets.
* Cause a decline in the number of pets licensed and vaccinated for
Rabies.
Bordering Mexico, there's always a Rabies threat in Texas and the
primary
concern of elected officials should be that all animals are vaccinated for
Rabies.
* A person with one dog that runs loose or barks all night is a greater
nuisance than a person with a dozen dogs that are quiet, clean, and kept
at
home. Numbers have no relationship to nuisances.
Please contact your legislators and tell them that you oppose this bill.
ALWAYS ask for the person in charge of legislation. If you don't know
your
legislators, go to:
www.capitol . state.tx. us/home.aspx and fill in the box
at
the bottom "Who represents me?"
Then contact bill sponsor Rep. Leibowitz and politely ask that he withdraw
HB 458. Phone Austin: (512) 463-0269, Fax: (512) 320-0555 and/or Phone
San Antonio: (210) 372-0759, Fax: (210) 372-1405. Ask for the person in
charge of legislation.